Q1. Which of the 5 proxy advisers in the Australian market - ACSI, Ownership Matters, Glass Lewis, ISS and ASA - issued a report ahead of our meeting and did any of them recommend a vote against any of today's resolutions, including this rem report item? If so, what reasons did they give and how are you going to respond? Please don't say they are confidential. It is standard for companies to be across this detail on the voting recommendations and inform shareholders where relevant. Were there any double digit proxy protest votes?
Answer: The chair gave a reasonable summary. Watch video of exchange via Twitter.
Q2. Australia is in the midst of a takeovers deluge that has contributed to listed entities falling by 170 to 2,124 since June 2022. There have already been 27 takeovers above $200m completed so far this calendar year. Does chair Gary Weiss believe we could be at risk & does Ariadne's 10.5% stake in our company provide some protection? Can he please explain the history of the relationship between Coast & Ariadne and why he chairs both companies, along with having numerous other gigs which lead to obvious workload questions.
Answer: The question wrangler posted the following message online: "Thank you for your question. We have sought to respond to the majority of your questions today, focusing on those relating specifically to the business of the Company, and apologise that we did not have the opportunity to respond to this question. Regards."
Q3. When disclosing the outcome of voting on all resolutions today, could you please advise the ASX how many shareholders voted for and against each item, similar to a scheme of arrangement? This will provide a better gauge of retail shareholder sentiment and insight into Australia's chronically low retail shareholder participation rate. Others have already blazed the trail as this was a voluntary disclosure initiative adopted by the likes of Qantas, ASX, Metcash, AUI, Webjet, Suncorp, Tabcorp and Myer in recent years.
Q4. Thank you to Brad Richmond for his 7 years of service on the board. It is always helpful for investors to have access to some exit perspectives from retiring independent directors. In his final contribution as a Coast Entertainment director, could Brad please comment on what he regards as the best 3 decisions made during his time on the board and does he have any regrets?
Answer: The chair handed over to Brad who said he was too busy with a new CEO role in the US to stay on the Coast Entertainment board. Watch video of exchange via Twitter, plus these additional comments.
Q5. Could new director Jemma Elder and the chair comment on the recruitment process that led to her appointment to the board. Was a head hunter involved, did the full board interview Jemma together as a group, or separately and did they interview any other candidates? Did Jemma know any of our directors before engaging with the recruitment process?
Answer: Jemma used to be the marketing boss at Dreamworld so it's good to get someone on the board who know the major asset well. Watch video of exchange via Twitter.
Q6. As the outgoing audit firm, could the Ernst & Young signing partner attending today's meeting comment on whether they were invited to tender to renew the audit contract. When did EY find out they were being replaced by BDO as external auditor and could the outgoing auditor comment on whether this impacted the latest audit in any way. How will EY handle the handover?
Answer: It all sounds very professionally handled. Watch video of exchange via Twitter.
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